UNIVERSITY: TAILORING TECHNIQUES "CO-HABITATION"

For the final module of my second year on a BA (Hons) Fashion Design degree I was set two separate briefs. The first part involved producing half a tailored jacket and to understand the multiple processes of its creation.

Now, I know what you’re thinking ‘half’ a jacket? And yes… half! My lectures included how to craft a particular sleeve cuff or collar stand and at the end of demonstrations I was almost always told, “Oh, only you wouldn’t really be doing this if you were to make a full jacket”.

So to me the torture of making this pristine tailored half jacket was, to be honest, pretty pointless. Never the less, I remain super duper proud of my efforts and so chuffed with the end result. What do you reckon? Think half jackets will catch on? 
The second brief was focused around styling and trend forecast, we were asked to develop a package that would be suitable for trend forecasting site WGSN. Within this package we needed to include a trend book, a forecast in the form of a photo shoot or series of illustrations and also a journal to support the research.

RESEARCH

I decided to look into global population growth and also into contain-ability, this lead to co-habitation and the utilising of space. The development of this concept was mainly down to a trip to The Design Museum, London. Such an inspiring and innovative exhibition that I couldn’t help but look further into practicality; how we present, store and utilise space. 

I wanted to look at clothing and fashion in the same way, so I stripped down garments to the bare essentials and used whimsical graphic tee’s to say the rest. A lot of photography and other fashion editorial imagery lent themselves to these ideas and with those I came up with visuals for my own shoot, altering clothes so that they became transparent in places. Mirroring what it is to live with someone and having to share space and an existence. I made clothing appear vulnerable by cutting away the main body of tailored jackets, leaving behind the framework, letting the mind fill in the blanks. I made sure that the concept ran through the photographic style, creating compositions that seemed to encourage empty space, but not comfortable room for it occupants. Arched backs, tilted heads and braided hairstyles between two models creating that sense of adaptation.

RESEARCH IMAGES SOURCES

NEWS WORLD

2011 Annual Underwater Photography Contest: Winner- Tobias Friedrich of Germany.

The National Geographic

Disney Tron Legacy

SHOOT

So here's my finished photo shoot, as usual concept, styling and post production by me; set out in a WONDERLAND magazine layout. Hope you like it!?   

CREDIT:

Photographer: Talia White
Models: Ashleigh Holder & Eliza Jade
MuA: Alexandra Dyson
Hair: Josie Scott

NOTD: GOSH (60) LAMBADA

I was feeling pretty sassy today wearing my new favourite red nail polish by GOSH cosmetics. I think this is the perfect Dita Von Teese red, and to me she embodies everything it is to be a woman. Beautiful. Oh and is it just me or does red nail polish make you feel like the sexiest vixen around, no matter what your hair, makeup or outfit look like? 

GOSH Nail Lacquer in 'LAMBADA' (60) £4.75

I got mine in a 'Buy any 2 GOSH products & get a FREE Nail Lacquer' offer, so always keep a look out for nifty deals!

GOSH UK

What's your favourite red nail polish shade?

L x

DESIGNER OF THE DAY: MAWI

Designer of the day is MAWI, a London based company owned by jewellery designer Mawi Keivom, it’s known for its elaborate statement pieces with collections such as CANDY LUXE, DECO ROCKS, also PRETTY TOUGH and FEMME FATAL personal favourites and the newest collections for A/W 2011.

PRETTY TOUGH is a collection that is centred on the unconventional   lady. The collection gives women the tools to present the other facets of her personality and throw away or mix up outdated rules of decorum.

To me, jewellery is the ultimate accessory; forget handbags and even shoes, they just help you cart your meat sack and baggage around all day. Jewellery on the other hand, can make so many statements, evoke memory, emotion and history. What you decide to drape around your neck or circle your finger should display some sort of unspoken truth about yourself, but nobody can begrudge a little superficial decoration when the designs are this good!?
I just think of jewellery as the tattoo you can take off and change with your mood. The perfect accessory.

All my jewellery, even the inexpensive stuff has a story behind them and I’d be devastated if I ever lost any of it!

The MAWI brand speaks to all sides of my personality, from the little girl to the goth and back again while never failing to impress each season. The designs are ultra contemporary, mixing in a whole host of worldwide cultural inspiration that manages to have a vintage, futuristic and a playful flare all at the same time. No wonder there's such a huge celebrity fan base but there really is something to suit everyone's taste. 

I’m definitely a jewellery girl. In love! 

L x

SLEEK MAKEUP REVIEW

Blush in ‘Santorini-889’ £4.50 (ABOVE) & ‘Flamingo-937’ £4.50 ★★★★★

I’d heard a lot of good things about the Sleek blushers and all the hype was much deserved. This blusher is a great value for money product; that is super pigmented and on trend, while buffing into the skin effortlessly. I recommend these 100% and I’ll definitely be buying more shades in the future!

Kajal Eyeliner in ‘Nocturnal’ (Black) £4.30 ★★★★★

This is my all time favourite Sleek product, the ‘Kajal Eyeliner’ is so perfect for lining your waterline, tightline and even using it as smudged winged liner. It’s super cheap and because of its creamy crayon-like format, it will last you just as long as a regular kohl eyeliner pencil except you get tons more versatility with the 'Kajal'. It gives you such pigmented colour, the blackest of the black and defines the eyes with a super crisp line. It’s ideal for a nighttime smoky eye or just to make your lashes look thicker in the day! Such a brilliant product that everyone should own! 

True Colour Lipstick in ‘O.M.G-784’ (Red) £4.00 & ‘Peaches & Cream-774’ (Coral) £4.00 ★★★

These two shades are ‘sheen’ finishes and they can be a little patchy if applied straight onto the lip, but with lip balm underneath the colours are very pigmented.  I've worn them out and about and touch ups at work were needed, however I would say you get a good 3 hours out of them, before you need to apply more to maintain that intense colour. However, if your looking for something less high maintenance, I'd recommend the 'Pout Polishes' as they last all day with varying amount of colour while also giving your lips a hit of moisture.

Overall Sleek do offer a very fashionable and on trend colour range which is hard to find at a drugstore/high street level. Also, as trends come and go paying a fraction of the MAC or Nars price for a particular seasons colour is very appealing, don’t you think?    

Pout Polish in ‘Scandal-960’ £4.30 ★★★★★

This product is a lazy day lifesaver, it’s so simple to use and I’d say you don’t even need a mirror to apply it in confidence, it’s just perfect for on the go. It smells divine and goes on super smooth, it also doesn’t leave your lips with that tacky or greasy feel, they just feel moisturised. The 'Pout Polishes' give you a kick-ass pop of colour that’s easy to reapply. A massive hit with me.

I hope that this truthful review of my personal Sleek makeup collection is helpful when deciding what you want to try first, all I can say, is the buzz around this company is well deserved and that they have got some brilliant products. 

I haven't ever tried any of the eye shadow palettes. Have you? Let me know what you think!   

Let me know your favourites! 

Take care. L xx

HOW TO: A SIMPLE AT HOME MANICURE

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.